St, 2015 How Ancient are Your Holiday Customs?

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Ohio State University Extension

News Release for Raising Kids, Eating Right, Spending Smart, Living Well Column

To Be Released on Monday, December 21st, 2015

How Ancient are Your Holiday Customs?

Ahh, the holidays! What customs does your family celebrate? And why are these traditional events and foods so important to our holidays? We decorate with greenery, candles and lights as our traditions. We eat foods that are only seen at this time of year. But where did these ideas come from?

The Romans celebrated the winter solstice called Saturnalia, honoring the Roman god Saturn. They lit candles in their homes to encourage them through the long darkness of winter. Today we even celebrate with songs about making the world , ` Merry and Bright', as a way to bring light to the darkest part of winter.

But what traditions came from medieval times? If you were a peasant, it was frequently the custom as a tenant to give the lord a hen ? partly in payment of being able to have poultry. If you grew grain, you might have given the lord several shares which could be brewed into ale. The lord in return, provided a basket of food for a meal that probably included bread, meat and cheese. Sharing in some instances was even more formal and some customs said explicitly that the lord had to give a meal because the tenant had grown and provided the food for the lord.

What about our use of greenery in wreaths, mantels and the Christmas tree? Many traditions involving greenery originated in Druid, Celt, Norse and Roman civilizations in the celebration of winter solstice. Because the color green represents eternal life, plants that remained green during the winter played an important role in these celebrations. It is not to be overlooked that many of the homes needed the smell of this greenery to freshen the air as homes were dark and did not have our availability of air fresheners and laundry machines.

All educational program conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability, or Vietnam-era veteran status. Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice president for Ag. Admin. And director, OSU Extension TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-2921868.

Oh, the Christmas tree. There are divided opinions on the origin of this indoor tree. Some attribute this to Martin Luther in the 16th century. Luther is said to have cut an evergreen and put lighted candles on it to represent the starry night sky above the stable where Jesus was born. We do know that Germans brought the Christmas tree to America, still with lights and later with ornaments to celebrate this time of year. To give me a broader perspective for this story, I asked coworkers about their favorite food customs and heard lists of food that included cranberries, prime rib and a variety of breads and cookies, made just at this time of year. Schnecken, a type of sweet bread and celebrated with fillings, rolled, sliced and baked might grace your table, or maybe the sweet taste of Kolache, a favorite of our Czech and Slovak families- you will find several varieties at the Stehulak home. If you insist that you have no traditions, but suddenly feel the urge to visit the neighbors with a bottle of bubbly, you are celebrating much as your ancestors. Celebrate with your traditions and the traditions of your family and friends. It will only add to the season!

Nancy Stehulak is an Assistant Professor for Ohio State University and the Director of the Henry County office. She can be reached at Stehulak.1@osu.edu. Phone number is 592-0806. OaiAnnvhfooaliorilnlmaSdebatdliateisotuectnocr,UcaiHnmltiIieivVnoei/tnArnesIaliDaettylSooEnprsxtyrataeotnnubgossanri,osdamniimsiselcitmrsawimrbycirinatoshactnaetootsduruyshut,ubcnmartaeseatiigsndoanwdbariivtldhyeoorrtsOuigoittiynhrer,aiagrnoaacdcreSdeis,,ttocraceotaolmiegglemiooU,nriat,t,nnescidceverxtseoe,tesrreyesdn,xisc,utuoyarrlieolnEorlg,irxidgtehitnsiaeoattanbnatiisoll,iltinyrsoe,,esongexreavanuredrcateehelrraaaoidnnvredisnaretteiaintlltyaauttsoabe.rdtlTeieeohxdpitnsuore,cssatncastitlaioeointmenia,noelgntnpeetrnaoilselegtirinoacomrnisgaairne, agceconrdaenrc,eawgiteh,UdnitseadbSitlaitteys CoivrilVRiigehttsnaLamws-earnad tVheeUteSrDaAn. status. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension KWeitohrLk. ,SmAitcht,sAsosfocMiataeyVic8e aPnredsidJeunnt feor3A0gr,ic1u9ltu1ra4l,Aidnmicnoistoraptieorna; AtisosonciwateitDhetahn,eCUoll.eSge. Dof eFopoadr,tAmgreicnutltuorafl,AangdrEicnuvirlotunmree,ntKal eith L. SScmienictehs,; DDiriercetocrt,oOrh,ioOSHtateSUtantiveerUsitny iEvxeternssiiotyn; EanxdtGeinstsiCohna.ir in Extension Education and Leadership.

The OhioState University, The United States Department of Agriculture, and Henry County Commissioners Cooperating

All educational program conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability, or Vietnam-era veteran status. Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice president for Ag. Admin. And director, OSU Extension TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-2921868.

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